Friends, life teaches us. Life’s lessons help us grow into who we are. They give us the wisdom to mold and guide our children. I would like to share with you three life lessons that have inspired me.
First, it is ok to ask for help; or, just simply submit to the help of others. Second, those things in life that are most important to us are worthy of a fight and perseverance. The third, always give thanks and to be thankful.
I would like to share with you the story of the old guy through his experience and fight, I was inspired and touched by his life lessons. It was a beautiful and unseasonably warm day in November. You could smell the hay in the barn. The old guy and his grandson had just finished doing chores around the farm; fixing fences, plowing fields. The grandson and the old guy were putting away the tools and tractors for the day. They were getting ready to call it a day.
Suddenly there was a BANG --- CRASH; the grandson looked up and saw the tractor rolling across the pasture without its driver. The driver, the old guy, lay next to his barn, broken, scared and fighting for each breath. The old guy called out to his grandson, “call 9-1-1.” He then told his grandson, “I’m dying.”
HELICOPTER ARRIVAL TRAUMA ROOM 1! The old guy is rolled into trauma room one. The Trauma doctor was directing the trauma team like a well-rehearsed symphony; calling out orders, asking for vitals. They were desperately trying to save the old guy’s life.
A short-time later, the trauma doctor met with the family and explained that he would be putting a tube down the old guy’s throat to help him breathe. He also told them that he would be giving him drugs that would knock him out for quite a while; if you have something to say to the old guy, now would be a good time.
The grandson walked up to his grandfather, placed his hand on the old guy’s shoulder, leaned over and put his face next to the old guy’s and said; “Fight Grandpa, Fight! I love you.” For a moment, a very brief moment, the old guy opened his eyes, looked up at his grandson and mouthed the words; “I will fight!” Indeed, the old guy’s fight had just begun.
The old guy would fight for his life for the next two and half months. At the end of the third month, he goes home to his family and his grandson. Banged, bruised and sore but very much alive!
A few months later, the old guy would return to the Emergency Room and the Critical Care Unit to give thanks to those who help save his life.
Ladies and gentlemen, we call all walk away inspired by the old guy’s story and the lessons it provides us. First, it’s ok to ask for help. It’s ok to ask a family member or friend to help you start a business or to solve a difficult problem. It’s ok to ask for help.
Second, those things in life that are most important and most precious to us, including life itself, are very worthy of the fight and perseverance. Fight for your self-discipline, fight for what’s right, fight to over-come those obstacles and challenges that face each and every one of us every day of lives. Fight!
Third and perhaps the most important lesson, always give thanks and be thankful. Give thanks to those who help us. Be thankful for our family and our friends.
Oh yes, the old guy. He made a full recovery and is doing very well today. You see, the old guy, he’s my father, my hero and my mentor. And the grandson, he's my son of whom I am very proud.
These are the lessons from the old guy
Copyright 2013 - Eric Dunham
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